Flew Yak 3U To An Unofficial Top Speed Of 416 MPH

A new unofficial world speed record was set Tuesday by Windsor, Ontario, Canada racing pilot Will Whiteside in a Yak 3U. The flight took place at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Whiteside flew his modified Yak to an unofficial speed of 416 MPH. The record will need to be certified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). If they do, it will be the fastest in a propeller-driven airplane weighing between 5000-6000 pounds. The record attempt was monitored by the National Aeronautic Association. It will be reviewed by the FAI.

The Windsor Press Democrat reports that the record attempt came less than a month after Whiteside competed in the Reno Air Race in which pilot Jimmy Leeward and 10 spectators were fatally injured in an accident. Windsor flew a P-51 named "Voodoo" in that race.

Whiteside flies for both the Steadfast Racing Team in the Yak, and the Voodoo Racing Team in the P-51. He is also a corporate pilot flying for the Henry Trione and Connie Codding/Brad Baker families.

FMI www.teamsteadfast.com, www.voodooairracing.com